This week, as the 108th Congress was sworn-in, Congress began a new chapter in public service. In the Eighth District of Missouri that new chapter includes new names, places and offices. Between moving into a new office in Washington, DC and becoming acquainted with some of the new towns in our district, I was reminded of something once said by Missouri's own President Harry Truman: "The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know."

 

Indeed, President Truman was correct. With the ongoing War on Terrorism, new leadership in the US House and Senate and numerous challenges facing our country, the times we are living in seem like no other time in recent history. Those challenges will require commitment, patience and a willingness to work together – so that our country has the resources necessary to address these challenges – now and in the future.

 

However, some things do remain the same. One of those things is the commitment to service that the Emerson's have always strived to achieve for the residents of Missouri. So, even though our Washington, DC office has moved to 2440 Rayburn House Office Building, we are still receiving and answering mail. If you already sent correspondence to our old address, it will be forwarded to the new address, but all future correspondence should be sent to the new office. You can also use the same address to contact me about legislation or to schedule a meeting. However, please be aware that Capitol Hill offices are still experiencing delays receiving mail due to the new screening measures put in place after 2001's anthrax attacks, so your patience is appreciated.

 

In addition to the Washington, DC office (202-225-4404), there are also three offices in Missouri. They are located in Cape Girardeau (573-335-0101), Farmington (573-756-9755) and Rolla (573-364-2455) and are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to assist you with issues related to the federal government.

 

We also have some new counties to welcome to the Eighth District family. As of Tuesday, January 7th, due to Congressional Redistricting our district now includes all of Ozark, Douglas and part of Taney counties. With their flowing Ozark streams and waterways, cattle rich land and majestic beauty of the Mark Twain National Forest, the addition of these counties truly compliment and enhance our region. I am pleased to welcome the newest members of our family and look forward to the opportunity to showcase the Eighth District as the last truly rural district in the Show Me State.

In an effort to serve all regions in the Eighth District, besides the Washington, DC office and our three local offices in Missouri, you can also visit our Eighth Congressional District Mobile Office. The Mobile Office began traveling the roads of Southern Missouri in March of 1997 and is staffed by Darren Lingle who serves as the Mobile Office Director. Darren, who holds office hours throughout the Eighth District, along with any of the district offices, can forward on to me any constituent concerns about particular issues or votes facing the 108th Congress, as well as initiate individual cases that people have with various federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs. To learn more about when the Mobile Office will be in your area, log onto our website at www.house.gov/emerson or contact any of our offices for a schedule.

 

In closing, I want you to know that serving Southern Missouri in Congress is not just a job, but a privilege and I appreciate and respect the trust you have placed in me to represent you each day. So, when I see each of you in our communities in the weeks and months ahead, I hope you'll share with me your ideas about the work Congress is doing and about what we can do to enact policies that reflect the conservative, common sense values that make Missouri home. Working together, I am confident that the new Eighth District can make the "new history" Truman spoke of so long ago.